"This helps with the credibility gap that I think has existed in the minds of some shareholders. It reiterates the point that the balance sheet is healthy. They needed an endorsement in the market and they got it," said Jon Finger, managing partner of Finger Interests in Houston.

Bank of America will sell Berkshire[BRK.A103621.0078-2728.9922(-2.57%)]
50,000 shares of cumulative perpetual preferred stock with a 6 percent annual dividend, it said in a statement Thursday. Bank of America can buy back the investment at any time by paying Buffett a 5 percent premium.